By Michael Contaxis
1st Asst. Chief WFD
The Warwick Fire Department (WFD) has responded to 25 calls and 900 hours for service to date. Over the past two weeks the WFD has responded to mutual aid fires in the Chester and Florida Fire Districts. The WFD reminds residents to use caution when reporting a downed power line or transformer fire. Stay away from the wires and report the address to emergency services.
Most home fires result from five general causes as reported by the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). In its latest report, Home Structure Fires, NFPA shows that during the years 2014-2018 five general fire causes accounted for 86% of reported home fires, 95% of home fire deaths, and 83% of home fire injuries.
Cooking was, by far, the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. Because cooking is such a routine part of our lives, it’s easy to forget the high temperatures and dangers involved. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires. Creosote build-up in chimneys was the most common cause of these fires, while fires involving fixed and portable space heaters caused most of the heating fire deaths.
Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was the third leading cause of home fires. Conditions that make these fires possible can occur long before a fire presents – largely as a result of wiring being installed or repaired incorrectly, or when receptacles, power strips or cords are overloaded, etc. Intentional fire-setting was the fourth leading cause of home fires.
Fire Prevention Information
Fire Prevention information can be found at NFPA.ORG, community.nfpa.org or the children’s interactive site at sparkyschoolhouse.org. For more fire prevention tips, visit fpw.org or esfi.org.
WFD Raffle
The Warwick Fire Department is currently raffling off a 55″ Samsung Smart TV at $20 a chance. Email warwickfire150@gmail.com for the link to pay. See the WFD Facebook page and comment in the group with the number of chances desired. Limited to the first 200 chances; pick up only or local delivery.
Join the Fire Department
Those interested in joining the Warwick Fire Department, age 16 and older, call 986-3473; contact WFD via social media on Facebook or Instagram; email wfd634c@yahoo.com; or stop by any firehouses any evening to speak with a Fire Officer about joining. The best evenings are Mondays at 7 p.m. or the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
The Warwick Fire Department assisted the Chester Fire Dept. at a Fire in the Village of Chester.
